The Partnership for Learning & Skills to Advance Safer Engineering in East Africa (PLEASE) Project was officially launched on October 23, 2025, at Boma Inn, Nairobi. The meeting, led by Moi University’s School of Engineering under Professor Augustine Makokha, brought together academia, industry, regulators and policymakers to advance safety and sustainability in engineering systems.
Funded by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation (https://www.lrfoundation.org.uk/), the project aims to train 2,000 students across Africa through co-created professional courses that promote safe and sustainable engineering practices in energy and maritime sectors.
The meeting was graced by the Ag. Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kiplagat Kotut, who commended Professor A. Makokha the Project’s PI and the Dean – School of Engineering, for leading such an initiative that aligns with Moi University’s vision and for promoting innovation, safety and sustainable development. He emphasized the importance of partnerships that translate research into real-world solutions for societal impact.
Dr. Carol Hunja, Higher Secretary, represented the Principal Secretary for Education and delivered the PS’s remarks, emphasizing government support for capacity-building and safer engineering practices.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics, Research, Extension and Student Affairs), Professor Khaemba Ongeti, praised the project’s emphasis on skills development and safety enhancement, noting its potential to strengthen linkages between academia and industry while promoting safer engineering practices across sectors.
Candace Bentil, Program Manager at LRF, presented the Foundation’s mission to engineer a safer world, highlighting priorities such as safer maritime systems, sustainable infrastructure and developing skilled people for safer engineering.
Participants emphasized collaboration with industry and regulators, integration of safety modules into engineering curricula, and inclusion of cybersecurity and emerging technologies. Institutions represented included Lloyd’s Register Foundation, Moi University, Technical University of Kenya, University of Eldoret, Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK), National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA), Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), Multimedia University of Kenya and Nelson Mandela-African Institution of Science & Technology (NMAIST) -Tanzania.
The project is poised to reshape engineering education and practice across the East Africa region.
More information about the project at:
https://www.lrfoundation.org.uk/news/moi-university-secures-a-grant-to-advance-skills-training-for-safer-engineering